A Fine Sumatran Pedang (Pedang Bengkok)
Palembang, Dutch East Indies (Pelembang, Sumatra, Indonesia)
Last half 19th century
Steel, horn, silver, wood
Blade: 57,8cm
Hilt & Blade: 72,4cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 74,9cm
Collection Date: 2023

Ex: Swords and Antique Weapons: Brisbane, Australia (2023) (https://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s2318_full.html)

Beautifully carved pedang from the Indonesian Island of Sumatra, specifically the area of Palembang. Very thick, sharp, and heavy single-edged upcurving blade of rare twistcore pamor ending in a hatchet point. A deep fuller travels near the spine.

Hilt of a single section of finely carved horn in stylized florals adorned by silver sheet repousse scrollwork in deep relief. One face of the horn hilt ahs some minor wear.

Sheath of two-piece fine timber held together by three silver bands. The mouthpiece is carved from horn. Defined as Pendang III by Van Zonneveld.

• Albert G, Van Zonneveld. “Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago”. Page 102

• P. Holstein. “Contribution a’ l”etude des Armes Orientales”. 1931. Vol. 2. Plate XLIX

• https://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s2318_full.html

• https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/palembang-twist-core-pedang

• http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2278

• https://oriental-arms.com/product/pedang-iii-sword-with-inscription-on-the-blade-sumatra/

• http://vikingsword.com/lew/w0132/w0132.html

• https://www.rswordantiqueblades.com/sold#/new-gallery-255/

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_As-Bk-15-a

• https://antiquesbythesea.com/product/a-chinese-influenced-sumatran-pedang/